Apparatus for optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Examples of the disclosure relate to an apparatus ( 101 ), a wearable electronic device and an optical arrangement for optical coherence tomography. The apparatus comprises an optical coherence tomography system ( 103 ) and an optical arrangement ( 105 ). The optical arrangement comprises at least one means for beam shaping ( 109 ) configured to shape a beam of light from the optical coherence tomography system. The optical arrangement also comprises at least one minor ( 111 ) positioned so that light from the means for beam shaping is incident on the at least one minor. The at least one mirror is configured to move in at least one direction relative to the optical coherence tomography system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 an optical coherence tomography apparatus wherein the optical coherence tomography apparatus comprises an integrated optoelectronic circuit and wherein the integrated optoelectronic circuit comprises at least an interferometer; 
 an optical arrangement comprising at least one lens configured to shape a beam of light from the optical coherence tomography apparatus and at least one mirror positioned so that light from the at least one lens is incident on the at least one mirror; 
 circuitry configured to obtain an output from the optical coherence tomography apparatus and to provide image data; and 
 wherein the optical coherence tomography apparatus and the optical arrangement are provided on a substrate comprising a surface having at least a first level and a second level, the first level and the second level being arranged as steps. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the optical coherence tomography apparatus is positioned on the first level of the substrate and wherein at least a portion of the optical arrangement is positioned on the second level of the substrate. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first level of the substrate is at a lower level than the second level of the substrate. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises an inclined portion on which at least a portion of the optical arrangement is positioned, the inclined portion being angled relative to the optical coherence tomography apparatus. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one lens is positioned on the second level, and wherein the second level is arranged higher than the first level. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one mirror is positioned on the inclined portion. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mirror is configured to move in a first direction and in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the optical coherence tomography apparatus, the optical arrangement, and the circuitry are provided on a circuit board. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to provide the image data to a display for rendering the image data into an image. 
     
     
       11. A method, comprising:
 providing a substrate comprising a first level and a second level, the first level and the second level being arranged as steps on a surface of the substrate; 
 providing an optical coherence tomography apparatus on the first level of the substrate, wherein the optical coherence tomography apparatus comprises an integrated optoelectronic circuit and wherein the integrated optoelectronic circuit comprises at least an interferometer; 
 providing at least a portion of an optical arrangement on the second level of the substrate, wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least one lens configured to shape a beam of light from the optical coherence tomography apparatus and at least one mirror, the at least one lens being positioned so that light from the at least one lens is incident on the at least one mirror; and 
 providing circuitry configured to obtain an output from the optical coherence tomography apparatus and to provide image data. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one mirror on the second level of the substrate is positioned at an incline relative to a surface of the optical coherence tomography apparatus. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the circuitry comprises providing at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate and the circuitry are provided on a circuit board. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the circuit board is configured to be attached to a body of a user.